Multiple switch



April l5, 1

Filed Oct. 25. 1947 F. A. TALBOT MULTIPLE SWITCH 2 SHEETS-SHEET l INVENTOR. /C/'w/f 67. 72u50 r WM 55x07 April l5, 1952 F A, TALBOT 2,593,072

MULTIPLE SWITCH Filed GCT.. 23, 1947 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INK ENTOR J5@ 47m/MEV Patented Apr. 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

This invention relates to combined multiple switches selectively actuated by a single member or lever and to the mounting and enclosing of the parts.

The main object of the invention is to provide a simple form of structure with a minimum number of parts adapted for fullling the required functions. In starting an electric motor for example, it is desirable to have one control switch closed and to momentarily close another control switch; and in stopping the motor the former switch is then opened. In the present invention these two control switches are combined and are actuated by a single member or lever. In other uses of the combined switch, the two control switches may be no-rmally open and each closed momentarily successively, or normally closed and opened momentarily successively; or in either of these cases it may be desired to have one or the other, or both, of the switches held closed or held open after actuation. It is one object of this invention to make provision for readily adapting the combined switch to any such required function.

Another object is to so relate the parts as to require only a single spring for the actuation oi the contacts of both switches. Another object is to relate and mount the parts in a manner that they may be enclosed and immersed in oil if desired and be readily removable as a unit for inspection or repair and without disturbing the lead connections. Another object is to seal the connections from the interior to the outside of the enclosure for preventing any spark or ame from passing from the enclosure to the outside, or from the outside to within the enclosure. Another object is to provide a structure which shall be durable and dependable under long continued use. These and other objectsand advantages will be understood from' the following description and accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention.

y Fig. 1 is a front view of the multiple switch, the enclosing box being shown in section; Fig. 2 is a side view partly in section on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a front view of a portion of the mechanism showing the right-hand switch contacts latched in position; Fig. 4 is a front view of a modied form of the latch plate; Fig. 5 is a vertical section showing the sealed connection for the lead wires from the outside of the enclosing box to the interior; Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the enclosing box and adjoining conduit showing certain parts in dotted lines; Fig. 7 is a -rear View of the box and conduit; Fig. 8 is a front view of the contact pressure spring when not under tension; Fig. 9 is a similar view of a spring for tensioning the contacts inwardly instead of outwardly; and Fig. 10 is a detailed view of the yieldable and separable connections between the rixed contacts of the switch and the connection to the leads outside of the enclosure.

The multiple switch is shown mounted within an enclosing box or casing having a lower portion II and an upper portion I2. The two portionsvare secured together by screw bolts I2a at the corners of the anges on the two portions as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. A suitably supported conduit box I3 is shown bolted to the lower portion I I by the bolts I3a; and extending from the upper part of the box I3 is shown a conduit I4 for containing the leads to the switch.

The multiple switch is mounted on a back plate I5 of insulating material as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. There are four xed contacts I6 formed of copper or brass strips having their rear ends bent at right-angles to form supporting feet IGa. The xed contacts are held in position on the plate I5 by screws Il which pass through the.

plate from the rear and have a threaded engagement with the feet of the contacts. A cross plate I8 of insulating material is secured to the outside faces of the left-hand pair of contacts I6 and is secured thereto by screws or rivets. A similar cross plate I9.of insulating material is secured to the right-hand pair of contacts I E on the inside faces thereof. A slidable plate or bar 20 of insulating material which is more particularly shown in Fig. 3 passes freely through a vertical slot in the plate I9 and is guided thereby. The bar 20 is provided with shoulders 20a adapted to engage the plate I9 for limiting the outward movement of the bar. In the inner portion of the bar or plate 20 is a slot 20h through which extends a pin 2I for actuating the bar in one direction -as later explained. A conducting leaf of spring 22 is mounted on the outer end portion of the bar 2U, the end portion projecting through a slot in the spring. A cotter pin 22a is passed through the Ibar on each side of the spring for holding the spring on the bar. Contacts 22h are secured to opposite ends of the spring on its inside face for engaging the righthand pair of contacts I6 respectively. A similar slidable bar or plate 23 of insulating material passes through a vertical slot in the plate I8 and is guided by the plate I8. The bar 23 overlaps the bar 20 at its inner portion, the bar 23 heiniT back of the bar 201, as shown in Fig. 2. `The inner portion of the bar 23 is provided with a longiis fixed at its i..

to the Shaft 3i.

tudinal slot 23h similar to the slot 2Gb of the bar through which the pin 2l also passes. A conducting leaf spring 2li is provided with a slot through which is passed the outer end portion of the bar 23, the spring being held in place on the bar by a cotter pin 24a on one side and by shoulders 23a of the bar 23 on the other side s of the spring. Contacts 24h are fixed to the outer ends of the spring respectively for engaging the left-hand pair of fixed contacts IG.

The pin 2l serves to actuate the contact bars or plates 2Q and '23 in directions against their biased positions. This pin has an enlarged out-er end Ela and an enlarged inner portion for yproperly holding the inner portions of the contact bars in slidable relation to each other. rlhe inner end ci the pin is secured to the lower end of a plate lever 25 which extends upwardly and is pivoted at its central portion on a pin or stud 2S which .er end to the plate or panel l5, as shown in 2. The stud has a portion 26a of enlarged diameter for spacing the lever 25 from the main supporting panel l5. Mounted on the front portion of the stud 2S is a spool on which is mounted in turn a coiled spring 2l having downwardly extending; ends tlc and 2lb. When these `ends are not forced toward each other they assume a position as shown in Fig. 8. The end 27a is forced inwardl.-Y andengages a V-shaped slot in a boss 23e formed on the inner side of the contact bar 23 for biasing the bar 23 and leaf spring '25s to the left, thereby tending to force the contacts Eb in engagement with their fixed contacts rhe end Elli engages a V-shaped slot in a boss 2de formed on the outer side cf the Contact bar 2t) for biasing the bar 2] and leaf springv 22 to the right, thereb.r tending to force the contacts 22h out of engagement with their contacts I5.

A latch 23 of metal is pivoted near its top central portion, on a pin 23a fixed to the Lipper end of the lever 25. latch is provided with projections 28o and at the opposite ends of its upper portion. The latch also has a slot or opening 28d in its lower central portion below its pivot. Above the latch and fixed to the panel I is a metal plate 2Q. At the lower opposite ends of the plate are formed notches Zila. and 23o which are adapted to be engaged respectively by the projee-tions 28h and 2do of the latch 28. The lower edge of the plate Z foe-tween its notches is curved on a radius having the axis of the lever 25 as its center'. The upper 'edge of the plate 29 is curved on the same radius as the lower edge.

As shown in Fig. 2, the top l2 of the casing is shaped to have a longitudinal external recess at its upper portion for the reception and housing of the manual means for operating the switch. In the central lower portion of this recess is tightly tted in the top cover a sleeve 30 extending upwardly within the recess. The sleeve serves as a bearing for a shaft 3l which extends upwardly above the sleeve 3i] and downwardly through the sleeve to within the casing. A push lever 32 Within the recess of the top cover has two sidewise extending arms 32a and 32h, as shown in Fig. 6. This lever is fixed at its central portion When the operator pushes the arm 32a or 32h by his thumb or finger, it turns the shaft 3i in one direction or the other. On the lower end of the shaft 3l within the casing is xed an arm 33 which extends rearwardly and passes freely through an opening in the lever 25 and its inner end extends within the slot 23d-in the` latch. f

The panel I5 and the partscarried thereby are entirely supported by the top l2 of the casing'.

This is accomplished by a pair of metal angle brackets 34 secured to the panel at its upper corner portions. The forwardly extending portions 34a of these brackets are secured to the front portion of the top casing under the recess by the screws 31th which pass upwardly through spacing sleeves 313C, as shown in Fig. 2. Thus the entire switch mechanism is removable with the top cover of the casing for inspection or repair when removed from the lower part Il of the casing or enclosure. The lower part of the casing may be lled with oil when desired for use as an oil switch.

In operation, each of the two switches is aotuated independently of each other according to which direction the lever 25 is turned. In Fig. 1 the lever 25 is shown in its mid-position with the left-hand contacts closed and the right-hand contacts open. Now assume that the operator pushes the arm 32o of the manual lever inwardly. This will move the inner end of its inner arm 33 to the right when looking at Fig. 1, forcing the latch 28Y bodily to the right and causes the latch to turn the lever 25 clockwise. rThe pin 2l on the lower end of the lever being in engagement with the left-hand edge of the slot 22o in its mid-position, slides the contact bar 2l] to the left to the position shown in Fig. 3 and thus closes its fco'ntacts against the pressure of the arm 2lb of the biasing spring. In the meantime the latch 28 has traveled the lower edge of the guiding and latching plate 29 and at the end of the stroke the projection 23o of the latch is forced by the arm 33 into the notch 29o of the plate, thus holding the parts in this position after the operator releases the manual lever. During the foregoing operation, the positionV of the left-hand switch is not affected because when the pin 2l moves to the left, it moves freely in the slot 23h from the righthand end to the left-hand end. When itis desired to open the right-hand switch, the operator pushes the right-hand arm 32o of the manual lever inwardly to normal position. This forces the arm 33 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to the left which releases the latch from the plate 29 and then the biasing spring forces the contact bar 20 quickly to the right and opens the righthand switch with a snap action to the position shown in Fig. 1. I

Now assume that the right-hand arm 32a of the manual lever is pushed inwardly. This moves the inner end of the arm 32 to theV left forcing the latch and in turn the upper end of lever 25 to the left until the projection 28e ol" the latch engages the notch 25h of the guide plate which then locks the parts in this position. During this movement the pin 2i has been carried by the lever 25 to the right. The pin being in engagement with the right-hand end of the slot 23D of the contact bar, shifts the bar to the right and opens the left-hand contacts. rEhe contacts are then held open. During this ac` tion the right-hand pair of contacts are not affected in their position because the pin 2l moves freely in the slot 2do of the contact bar 20 from the left-hand end of the slot to the right-hand end. When theoperator pushes the arm 32h of the manual lever inwardly, the arm 33 turns the latch on its pivot and Vreleases it which permits the spring 21 to snap the left-hand contacts to their closed position.

It is yapparent that aY single operating arm serves to open or closel either'switch selectively and independently of the other and thata single 'spring controls both switches in anyvposition and actuates each switch witha. snap action when released by the latch. Also no spring. isV required on the latch as it is latched andunlatched by the arm 33 as moved by the operator.

In the foregoing description each. Vof the switches was latched in the position to which it was manually moved. However, the guide plate 29 is shown shaped onits upper edge with an arc of a circle extending to the. ends of the plate, this outer arc having the same radius as the inner arc. By merely unfastening the plate from the panel I by removing the .holding screws of the plate, andreversing the plate so that the upper guiding .edge is down andthe lower guiding edge is up and then refastening the plate, the switch is changed from the latched type to an unlatched type.r Whenther` guide plate is thus reversed from the position shown and the operator depresseseitherof the manual arms, the new position of either switch will be maintained only as long as the operator holds one or the other arm depressed. Upon release, the spring will return the actuated switch to the position shown because no. latchingtakes place. The switch is thenY adapted .for the momentary closing or opening of the respective switches in instances when such control is de,- sired.

In some cases it may be. desired to ,latch one of the switches in its manually actuated. position and not the other. This isreadilyaccom- I piished by providing only one notch in the .cor-

vner of the guide plate.. Such a plate is. shown in Fig. 4 where the plate 29e is ,provided with only one notch 29don its lower side.. .The righthand switch will then be momentarily closed, as long as the operator holds the manual .arm 32h depressed; but the left-handV switch will be latched open when the manual arm. 32avis depressed. This structure is desirable. for. example, in the push-button control for starting and stopping a motor, the right-hand switch serving as the start and the left-hand switch serving as the stop. If it be desired .to latch the right-hand switch in its closed position and adapt the lefthand switch for momentary opening, it is. merely necessary to turn the plate 290.01' Fig..4l over endwise for accomplishing such, result. Fig.,4 also shows two notches 29e and 29fon the upper side of the guide .plate at the corners. When this plate is reversed with the upper. side down, the latch will then lock the parts in each of the limiting positions until manually released.

The structure likewise is readily adapted. :for mounting the switches to secure any desired relationship in their neutral or in their manu,- ally operated positions. In Fig. l the neutral position shows the right-hand switchjopen and the left-hand switch closed. The reversed'arrangment is readily obtained by mounting the switch parts in the reversed directionby turning the fixed contacts and the contact bars around 180. Furthermore, thevstructure 'may be arranged to have both the right and lefthand switches closed in their neutral position by changing the right-hand switch oi Fig; 1 to a duplication of the left-hand switch mounting. Likewise both switches may be. made open'in the neutral position by changing the left-hand switch to a duplication of the mounting of the right-hand switch. 'Ihus thevstructure is readily adapted to provide any desired relationship of the switches in their different positions Vas well as the latching or the not latching of either or bothin their. positions when displaced from the neutral position.

.In Fig. l the spring biases the Contact bars outwardly. If desired for certain purposes the contact bars may be biased inwardly by merely changing the `relationship of the untensioned position of the legs 21a and 21h of the spring 21 to theposition shown in Fig. 9. In this case theV leg 21am` Fig. 9 is hooked onto the lefthand contact bar 23 and the leg 21h is hooked .onto the right-hand Contact bar 2Q, thus biasing both contact bars inwardly.

Y In this improvement the switch unit may be removed with the top cover from the lower casing, as already explained. This does not disburb the connections of the outside leads; and it isp-important that no spark or flame should beftransmitted outside the casing to any adjoining parts or connections. This is particularly important where the leads are connected in a conduitA box I3 and extend through a conduit I4 back of the switch unit enclosure. Referring to Fig. 2, the leads are connected respectively to the four bolt and nut terminals 35 extendingwwithin the conduit box. These bolts pass through a pair of plates 3B of stili insulating material lon lopposite sides of the back wall of the easing II, as more particularly shown in Fig. 5 These plates are spaced from the wall of the casing; Where the bolts 35 pass through the' casing theyare surrounded by insulating bushings 31 which extend beyond the thickness of the wall. These bushings are of soft rubber, or other suitable compressible, resilient insulation; and in case oil is used in the container II, the material of the bushings should be not only compressible and resilient but impervious to the action of the oil. Such material is cominercially available. The inside heads of the bolts 35 engage the inner plate 36; and when the units on the bolts are tightened they draw the plates 36 toward each other and compress the bushings 31. This forms a sealed joint between theinside of the switch enclosure and the'V outside and prevents any arc or flame from passing out of the casing or any outside arc or flame from passing within the casing. The vfour xed contacts I6 are electrically connected to the heads of the bolts 35 when the top cover of the casing is placed in position. This is accomplished by the resilient conductors 38 shown in Fig. 10. One end thereof is perforated with the edges 38a depressed. The other end carries a contact button 38h,v or may be shaped to form a contact. The perforated ends of these conductors are placed under the heads of the screws I1 which firmly electrically connect these conductors to the feet IBa of the xed contacts. The conductors are inclined in such directions from the screws I1 that when the switch unit is vin position, the contact ends 36h of the conduce tors will engage the heads of the bolts 35 under spring pressure, giving good electrical connection therewith. The switch unit when removed or inserted in place thus breaks or makes the connection to the outside leads without disturbing them and without aiecting the sealed joint of the casing.

Although a preferred embodiment of this invention and various adaptations thereof have been described, it-will be understood that vari ous modifications may be made without departing from the scope thereof.

I claim: 1. A unitary switch structure comprising a xed contact and a movable contact cooperating therewith, a second xed contact and a second movable contact cooperating with said second fixed contact, a pivoted element for actuating said movable contacts selectively and independently of each other, a latch movably mounted on said pivoted element and actuating said element, a xed guide engaged by vsaid latch and holding said latch in a force transmitting position in its movement, and means `for applying force to move said latch along said guide and to cause the latch to move said element on which it is mounted, said guide having a portion engaged by said latch in one of its limiting posi-- tions for restraining said latch when said latch is moved in one direction.

2. A unitary switch structure comprising a fixed contact and a movable contact cooperating therewithVa second fixed contact and a second movable Contact cooperating with said second iixed contact. a pivoted element for actuating said movable contacts selectively and independently of each other, a latch movably mounted on said pivoted element and actuating said element, a xed guide engaged by said latch and holding said latch in a force transmitting position in its movement, and means for applying force to move said latch along said guide and to cause the latch to move said element on which it is mounted, said guide having portions engaged by said latch respectively in each of its limiting positions for restraining said latch when said latch is moved in opposite directions.

3. A unitary switch structure comprising a xed contact and a movable contact cooperating therewith, a second fixed contact and a second movable contact cooperating with said second xed Contact, a pivoted element for actuating said movable contacts selectively and independently of each other, a latch movably mounted on said pivoted element and actuating said element, a fixed guide engaged by said latch and holding said latch in a force transmitting position in its movement, and means for applying force to move said latch along said guide and to cause the latch to move said element on which it is mounted, said guide being reversible in its position and having two guiding sides, at least one of said sides having at least one portion engaged by said latch in one of its limiting positions for restraining said latch when said latch is moved in one direction. V

4. A unitary switch structure comprising a xed contact and a movable contact cooperating therewith, a second xed Contact and a movable contact cooperating with said second xed contact, said contacts being biased to move in opposite directions to each other, a slidable bar for supporting Aone of said movable contacts, a second slidable bar for supporting 'the other or" said movable contacts, and a pivoted element for actuating said bars selectively and independently of each other against the biased positions or said movable contacts. Y

5. A unitary switch structure comprising a pair of fixed contacts, a pair of movable bridging contacts cooperating therewith, a. second pair of iixed contacts, a second pair of movable bridgf ing contacts cooperating with said second pair of fixed contacts, a cross-piece of insulating ma- Vvterial mounted on said first-named iixed conporting said first named bridging contacts and vxed contact vand a movable contact cooperating guided in its vmovement by one of said crosspieces, a second slidable bar of insulating material for supporting said .second bridging contacts and guided in its movement by the other of said cross-pieces, and a movable element in engagement with said slidable bars for selectively and independently actuating said bridging contacts.

6. A unitary switch structure comprising a pair of iixed contacts, a pair of movable bridging contacts cooperating therewith, a second pair of xed contacts, a second pair of movable bridging contacts cooperating with said second pair of xed contacts, a cross-piece of insulating material -mounted on said rst named fixed contacts, a second Across-piece of insulating material mounted on said second pair of xed contacts, a slidable bar of insulating material for supporting said iirst named bridging contacts and guided in its movement by one of said cross pieces, a second slidable bar of insulating material for supporting said second bridging contacts and guided in its movement by the other of said cross-pieces, a movable element in engagement with said slidable bars for selectively and independently actuating said bridging contacts,a latch movably mounted on said element, a fixed guide for said latch, said guide having at least one portion engaged by said latch in one of its limiting positions for restraining said latch when said latch is moved in one direction, and a movable member for moving said latch in opposite directions and thereby moving said element.

7. .An enclosed switch comprising a casing having a lower portion and a top portion removable from the lower portion, a panel of insulating material secured to and removable with said top portion, xed and movable contacts supported on the -lower portion of said panel, a vertically extending lever pivoted on said panel for actuating `said movable contacts, a latch on the top portion of said lever and movably mounted on said lever, a stationery guide for said latch fixed .to said panel and having at least one vportion engaged by said latch in one of its limiting positions for restraining said-latch, said guide -holding said latch in a force transmitting position during its movement, and means outside the top portion of the casing and extending within `the .top portion for moving said latch and therevby said lever in opposite directions.

8. A unitary switch structure comprising a xed contact and a movable contact cooperating therewith, a second fixed contact and a second movable contact cooperating with said second iixed contact, independently movable elements for carrying said movable contacts respectively, a single coiled spring having extended ends for engaging said elements respectively for-biasing said movable elements in opposite directions to each-other, and a pivoted element engaging said movable elements selectively and for actuating said elements and movable contacts selectively and independently of each other.

k9. A .unitary switch structure comprising a therewith, a second iixed contact and a second movable contact cooperating with said second iixed contact, a pivoted elementr for actuating said movable contacts selectively and independently of each other, a latch movably mounted on saidpivoted element and actuating said element,

a fixed guide engaged by said latch and holding said latch in a force transmitting position in its movement-andrei' .locking said latch in its limiting position, and means for applying force to move said latch along said guide and to cause the latch to move said element Iand to cause said latch to be locked on said guide in its limiting position.

10. A unitary switch structure comprising a fixed Contact and a movable contact cooperating therewith, a force applying member transmitting an actuating force to move said movable contact to and from a secured position, a pivoted element for actuating said contact, a latch movably mounted on said element and in engagement with said member to receive the actuating force and transmit the actuating force to said pivoted element, a fixed guide adapted to engage said latch through its arc of movement to and from the secured position and to arrange said latch in a force transmitting position, and said guide having a catch adjacent an end thereof into 10 which said latch after disengagement from said guide is moved by the force applying member to hold said element and said movable contact in a secured position.

FRANK A. TALBOT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,215,714 Peck Sept. 24, 1940 2,235,382 Miller Mar. 18, 1941 2,294,559 Jeffrey Sept. 1, 1942 2,352,815 Van Valkenburg July 4, 1944 e 2,377,628 Hallett June 5, 1945 2,390,365 Goff Dec. 4, 1945 2,459,077 Jeii'rey Jan. 11, 1949 

